Cultivating healthy habits at a desk job

Sit at a desk all day for work? Try these habits to stay active and manage weight.

Many jobs these days involve computer work, and that tends to mean sitting at a desk for long periods of time. Combine this with office treats like biscuits, birthday cake and ‘Friday doughnuts’ and this can be a recipe for disaster for your waistline.

Creating habits to stay active is important for your health. Lack of activity is linked to a variety of health complaints, including obesity. Take a look below for some tips to cultivate healthy habits.

Create a non-food pick-me-up

When we hit a mental wall or energy slump at work it is easy to reach out for food to perk ourselves up. Usually though, we’re not really hungry and the food we reach for is sugar-laden and full of empty calories. Try to create a non-food pick-me-up instead. This could be reading something creative, getting out into nature or writing in a journal. Doing something creative and non-work related will help you be more productive at work without relying on sugar.

Go for a walk on your lunch break

Working exercise into your daily routine is essential if your job involves little movement. Getting out on your lunch break for a walk is a small but manageable step you can take to do this. Walking will boost your energy levels and it is also thought to boost productivity.

Pack your own lunch

Instead of relying on local cafes which may only offer pre-packaged, unhealthy options – pack your own lunch. Include plenty of vegetables and protein to keep you full. Packing your own healthy snacks will also help you resist the temptation of less healthy office snacks. Keep your desk drawer full of nuts and fruit to snack on when hunger strikes.

Drink plenty of water

This will keep you hydrated and help to clear the body of toxins. Not only this, but many people mistake dehydration for hunger, so drinking enough water will stop you from making this error.

Enlist the help of your friends

Catching up with friends can often involve going out for dinner or catch-up drinks. Try to instigate a ‘walk and talk’ catch-up instead to put a healthier spin on things.

These small tweaks add up to make big differences and can help you manage your health and weight.

If you're struggling to maintain healthy habits, hypnotherapy can help. Find out more on our weight loss page.